Healing of Memories

Last week I attended a retreat for UU ministers from Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and part of Ohio – the Heartland district. About 20 of us were there, a robust mix of newer and older ministers including seminary students and retirees. Our workshop was facilitated by three presenters: a UU minister, a Lutheran minister, and a marriage & family therapist. What they all had in common was experience and training in a program from South Africa called Institute for Healing of Memories.

The founder of the program was a priest who was an outspoken critic of the apartheid government—and was badly injured by a letter bomb in retaliation. He lost both hands and an eye, but his determination and compassion remained strong. As their website explains,

The Healing of Memories Workshop was first developed to run in parallel to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1996-1997), creating additional platforms for those who wished to share their experiences and be heard compassionately.
Over the following two years, the workshops were offered through the length and breadth of the country, and in 1998 the Institute for Healing of Memories was born.

The institute continues its healing work in South Africa, and has expanded to other continents. They have worked with health care workers shortly after the COVID pandemic; and with US military veterans. We experienced a shortened version of the workshop, which was still powerful. In facilitated small groups we were able to share our life stories, including the traumatic things we have been through. This deep sharing and compassionate listening in a safe space allowed me to realize new things about my past; and brought me closer to colleagues through the telling of some of our brightest and darkest moments. The workshop concluded with a creative ritual for hope and peace.

We all have trauma in our lives – though of course not all the same in intensity – and we all can find some measure of healing from that trauma. I’m grateful to the facilitators of the retreat and to my fellow ministers for creating an experience that was safe,healing, and connecting.

PRAYER:

Blessed be the work of Father Michael Lapsley, and the healing vision that emerged from his personal tragedy.

May every human being be granted the opportunity to tell their story – with all of its beauty and all of its pain – and to be heard in love and compassion.

May we learn from our past, may we heal from our trauma, and may we transform our past challenges into a hopeful and purposeful today.

Amen.

Rev. Drew Frantz

October 13, 2026